Reports say Austrian police have rescued 24 Afghan teenagers who were crammed inside a van described as a “prison cell on wheels”.

It came amid tightened controls on incoming lorries after dozens of people were found dead last week.

“The car was carrying 24 Afghan minors, most aged around 16 or 17. They had been packed into this dangerous vehicle like objects, crammed on top of each other into a very small space,” a spokesman told AFP.

“The windows and side doors had been welded shut, a grill had been welded to the inside of the windows which were sprayed in black paint. A locking bolt had also been attached to the doors on the outside. It was like a prison cell on wheels.”

The Afghans reportedly did not need medical attention. The Romanian driver was arrested.

The border checks have caused long traffic jams on the Hungarian side of the border, and confusion between both countries’ authorities.

“We are continuously negotiating with the Austrian, German and other affected governments to ensure everyday life continues and that Hungarian citizens should not be prevented from going to work every day,” said a Hungarian Trade and Foreign Affairs Minister, Levente Magyar, responding to a question from euronews.